Article made from shells



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

M. P. & H. E. BRENNAN. ARTICLE MADE FROM SHELLS.

No. 509,359. Patented Nov. 28, 1893.

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(No Model.) 2- sheets-smug M. P. 86 H. E. BRENNAN. ARTICLE MADE FROM SHELLS.

No. 509,359. Patented Nov 28, 1893.

1H! NATIONAL Lwnocmmma coMPANY.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BROOKLYN,

NEW YORK.

ARTICLE MADE FROM SHELLS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 509,359, dated November 28, 1893.

Application filed February 25, 1893. Serial No. 463,757- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we,MARY FLORENCE BREN- NAN and HELEN ELIZABETH BRErrNAN, both. of the city of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, haveinvented certain newand usefullmprovementsin ArticlesMade from Shells; and we do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference ice-- ing had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon,which form a part of this specification.

Our invention consists in a special method of constructing and in the construction of useful articles, made from marine or other shells, more especially the shells of bivalves; and whereby the articles are also valuable and useful in an artistic sense. It admits of using in the rough, coarse shells like those of the oyster, and of any size, without the need of grinding down or polishing their rough surfaces, and of neatly lining or cushioning their concave faces with rich textile goods and protecting the cut edges of said lining from fraying or raveling, and this without perforating the shell for the purpose of sewing the goods thereto.

Figure 1. shows by way of illustration,a stand, adapted for a jewel receptacle and also for a pin-cushion, and formed mainly by grouping together a number of oyster shells. Fig. 2. illustrates another and more simple grouping; the under part or base being an inverted half shell. Fig. 3. represents another form; being a single shell arranged as a trinket receptacle and supported in an up;

right position by the attachment of a cluster of small shells to form the base. Fig. 4:. shows still another arrangement: a delicate single shell mounted on a base formed of a spray of coral.

We take any kind of shells, regular or irregular in form and of any size, dependent upon the style or character of articles to be made, and preferably in their natural or rough exterior, and by means of glue or cement unite two or more of them together, generally back to back, or side to back; thus grouping them together in any way desired. The group We then cushion as shown at a. in Fig. 1., or

line as shown at b., the concave sides of the shells with a suitable fabric covering, such as plush, velvet, silk, &c., securely glued in place, the cushioned shells serving as a needle or pin-cushion, and the non-cushioned ones lined as described, or' merely gilded, re-

maining concave andserving to hold jewels,

trinkets, and other small articles.

The outsides of these shells we coat with a solution of so-called bronze powder or of similar powder, or with a paint, adapted to give a golden, silver, or other color, as may be desired; and when so coated, all the rough exterior as to all its natural breaks, crevices, or irregularities, is still visible but beautified. In some cases, this coating may be on the outside only, or inside only, of the shell, or it may be both on the inside and outside; but we prefer to line the inside with a textile or fibrous material.

To conceal the cut and raw edges of the plush or textile goods for the lining or cover, we avoid the use of cord or other edging glued around the border or employing any needle work or textile binding put on the fabric, or the perforation of the shells around the edge for the purpose of thus stitching on a border of any kind. We therefore apply'in theform of a band or binding 0. around the inside edge of the shell, sonie'lof the same bronze; gold, silver or other. solution or paint as shown;

andtoin'ake this concealment of the edges of the lining fabric more effectual, and at the same time more attractive, we in some cases extend from the band 0., a series of fingers or projections (1. made of the same solution and paint, and which overlap the fabric farther than the loand,.and constitute with it, an additional element of beauty as regards the gen- Our improved articles are also suitable for pendent ornaments, by hanging them from cords, or wires, ribbons, or chains; or they may be adapted for match boxes, and in that case supported against the wall, if desired, by means of a nail, or hook passed through a hole in the edge of the back shell. They may also be used as stands or vases for out flowers, &c., by omitting the fabric lining, and coating the interior with any suitable water proof cement or paint, or With soluble glass suitably colored if desired.

If desired, the exterior of the shells, (or of the corals or stones when used) may, for more expensive articles, be coated with an electrometallic deposit, of silver, or nickle, for example, in place of the bronze powder solutions. Such a deposit follows with absolute fidelity all the lines, surfaces and sinuositie's of the original, preserving its natural beauty of form.

We claim- 1. The described method of making useful and ornamental articles from shells, consisting in uniting one or more shells to a base of shell, coral, stone or kindred material, lining the interior of the shell with a suitable covering, and coating the exterior with a color- ,stone, or kindred material, and having the interior lined with textile fabric, and ornamental coloring material on their exteriors and extended to lap over the edges of the shells and fabrics and serving to conceal the raw edges of the same, substantially as described.

MARY FLORENCE BRENNAN. HELEN ELIZABETH BRENNAN.

- Witnesses:

CHAS. J. SANDS, F. H. BRENNAN. 

